Armando Shashoua: 'We always believed'

Under-18s captain Armando Shashoua said our young players always believed they could get back into the game against Millwall on Monday night.

Our participation in this year’s FA Youth Cup hung by a thread as our third-round opponents forged ahead through a wonder-strike from Billy Mitchell and then defended resolutely at The Den in a bid to force an upset.

Thankfully, substitute J’Neil Bennett scrambled in an equaliser in the third of six added minutes at the end of the 90 to force extra time and, from there, we found another gear to see off the tiring hosts, Rodel Richards securing a 2-1 win four minutes into the additional period.

“It was a very physical game but I thought we had a good mentality to come back from behind, even if it was so late,” said midfielder Armando, who elder brother Samuel is on loan at Spanish side Atlético Baleares this season.

“The resilience we showed throughout the game with the physicality and some of the decisions going against us was really good from the lads and we’ve shown so many times throughout the season how we can come back and score a goal at any time, so even though the pressure got amped up a bit the later it got, I think everyone in the team believed and we showed that in the end.”

Sitting top of the Under-18 Premier League, Matt Wells’ side couldn’t hit their usual attacking groove, but still found a way to win.

“Some of the decision-making from the back to the front of the pitch and in the final third wasn’t quite on point as it has been so often this season so that was disappointing, but the important thing is that we won,” added Armando.

“Troy (Parrott) was brilliant throughout, really good for us with the way he was holding up the ball and J’Neil, when he came on, was a big outlet.

“RJ’s (Richards’) goal early in extra time helped us a bit with the nerves, but I still think we could have played out the rest of the game better and controlled it a bit more. We tried to break too much when it wasn’t realistic and in a more senior game we’d have been punished for it, but the important thing right now is that we got over the line.”

We’ll face north London rivals Arsenal away in round four on a date to be confirmed.